Month: June 2022

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Dating in Cornwall: top tips for getting the most out of the area

If you live in Cornwall, you’re likely to already appreciate just how special it is to be surrounded by abundant countryside and jaw-dropping coastlines. Benefitting from beautiful blue waters, picturesque harbours, and idyllic beaches, the area is a huge draw for holiday makers and day trippers alike. If you’re lucky enough to live in Cornwall then the coast is yours to enjoy all year round, offering up many romantic opportunities to take long walks along the shore or share a fish and chip supper al fresco while watching those famous sunsets.  

There’s a lot more to Cornwall than you’ll find on the well-beaten tourist trail though. Whether you are looking for love, or already in an established relationship, there are a plethora of dating opportunities to be enjoyed right on your doorstep. So, whether you’re looking to impress on a first date or just adding some variety to your dating journey, find our top tips for getting the most out of living in beautiful Cornwall as recommended by our matchmakers.

Enjoy a day out

A stunning landscape featured in TV shows and movies alike, Bodmin Moor provides an oasis of calm during the height of the summer tourism season, allowing plenty of opportunities to hike the historic granite moorland. It’s one of Cornwall’s designated Areas Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with a remote, wild feel – perfect for escaping the crowds for some active exploring or soaking up the opportunity to discover filming locations from shows such as BBC’s Poldark.   

For more structured days out – and the chance to rest your legs and enjoy a classic Cornish cream tea – the National Trust has numerous houses, gardens, and properties to explore in the area. You can also make like a tourist in your own backyard and take in popular visitor spots such as The Lost Gardens of Heligan and Enys Gardens to enjoy the tranquillity of their beautiful estates.  

Get active

If you’ve had the sea on your doorstep for a while but you’ve not got around to trying the many different water sports on offer, why not try your hand at something new together? You could have a go at sea kayaking, coasteering (a fun combination of cliff-jumping, cave-exploring, rock-hopping and swimming) or body boarding. If none of those take your fancy, there’s plenty of opportunities to try a surf lesson or have a go at paddleboarding – it’s a great way to break the ice and guaranteed to put a smile on both of your faces.

Enjoy a festival

There’s a real variety of festivals to be enjoyed together in the summer, mixing music with other elements which firmly put Cornwall on the map. The Rock Oyster festival in July combines music with a line-up of top chefs offering masterclasses, demos, and plenty of restaurant pop-ups. There’s also the Little Orchard Cider & Music Festival combining camping and glamping, lots of live bands and, of course, a huge range of ciders. If a full-blown festival is a bit much for you, there are live music nights at the Eden Project at various dates during the summer, as well as at The Wyldes, an event site situated in a wooded valley in North Cornwall.

Enjoy the view

With so much beauty around, it’s no surprise that there’s a range of restaurants which benefit from the stunning views on offer across the area. Why not try the terrace at The Seafood Restaurant, a restaurant owned by celebrity chef Rick Stein, offering views over the scenic Camel Estuary. Wavecrest Café has panoramic sea views overlooking Lizard Point in Cornwall, while the Jamaica Inn has spectacular views of Bodmin Moor and plenty of history. You’ll be spoilt for choice for great places to eat, many of which are worth putting in a few extra miles to enjoy the seasonal local produce and fresh seafood Cornwall is famed for.

Visit a spa

Looking for a more sedate experience? There are some great spas in Cornwall, allowing you to enjoy some quality pamper time together. The Aqua Club at the iconic The Headland Hotel is perched on a rugged peninsula boasting a luxurious swimming and wellbeing centre. Relax in the hydrotherapy pool, or have your favourite cocktail bought to you at the outdoor heated Sunset Spa Pool. The Scarlet Hotel has an eco-spa with sweeping views of the Atlantic and plenty of wellbeing classes to enjoy together, including yoga and tai chi.

Pop across the border

There’s plenty going on in neighbouring Devon to add some variety to your date ideas. Explore the amazing Tunnels Beaches, a network of hand-carved tunnels leading to unique sheltered beaches and tidal pools. Take a boat trip to the peaceful and unspoiled Lundy Island to walk and spot the varied wildlife – you may even be lucky enough to spot a pod of dolphins as you make the ferry crossing. At the end of a long day of sightseeing cosy up for an intimate movie showing at the Neo cinema, which seats up to 30 people in comfortable sofas and armchairs.

These are just a flavour of the many amazing dates you can enjoy together in Cornwall – we’d love to hear your top tips for getting the most out of the area. Head over to our Facebook or Instagram pages to share your thoughts on the best date ideas to be enjoyed in Cornwall this summer!

Are you looking to meet somebody new to share plenty of good times and new experiences with? Working with a matchmaker can be the perfect way to meet that special person you’ll really enjoy spending time with. They are able to work with you to really understand what you are looking for and introduce you to amazing people you’ll genuinely share a spark with. Give us a call today to find out how we can assist on your search for love!

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Three toxic dating trends you need to watch out for

Love it or hate it, there’s no other show that puts dating behaviours under the microscope quite as much as Love Island. With another season of ITV’s hit show underway, the spotlight is once again shining light on the numerous dating red flags that crop up in the show, which are all too often found in the real world as well.

You only have to briefly look in the media to find that there are plenty of articles and social posts out there examining in detail the toxic practices that are played out in the villa. And along with depiction of problematic behaviours, the show highlights the powerful – and painful – impact that they can have on the contestants and their budding relationships.

Problematic behaviours are sadly common in the modern dating world and there are several toxic trends which, from experience, have a particularly detrimental effect on daters’ emotional well-being. Below you’ll find details of three romantic red flags that are worth having on your radar to ensure you are prepared if you ever encounter them on your dating journey.

Ghosting

This dating term refers to the situation when somebody who you’ve been romantically involved with abruptly cuts all contact without any warning. They end the relationship without explaining why, or even bothering to let you know that they’ve moved on – leaving you to figure it out on your own after days, weeks and maybe even months of silence.

This is especially difficult in a relationship where you’ve trusted somebody enough to be intimate with them and the relationship has turned physical. Suddenly, you are ghosted for no reason. It’s essentially unfinished business that leaves you feeling confused, abandoned and questioning what you did wrong to be dropped so abruptly. Ironically, despite how you are feeling the real issue is with the person who does the ghosting, and it’s worth remembering that it as their problem not yours, as you are not the one to blame.  

Zombieing

This is where you’ve been left hanging by a ghost and then just as you are starting to get over them, they come back with lots of promises and poor excuses for their disposable manners and behaviour – only to prime you up to be ghosted again!

Be under no false illusions, once somebody has ghosted you, they will know they can get away with it if you allow them back into your life to do it again. It’s may sound harsh but it’s true. It can particularly add insult to injury if you’ve already been hurt in the past by the person who ghosted you. Be kind to yourself and remember to set and maintain strong boundaries of how you want to be treated, at the first sign of this behaviour don’t chase them. Instead put your phone down – or even better, block them and move on.

Breadcrumbing

This is, in a nutshell, leading somebody on. It’s when somebody that you’re dating drops subtle hints of wanting a relationship with you but then they come and go as they please or are just plain inconsistent. You never know where you really stand or what the intentions are of the person doing this to you.

Their behaviour often leaves you feeling confused, and it can be quite an emotional rollercoaster because you love it when they get in touch and really enjoy the time you spend together. That rush of adrenaline when you see each other may feel great, but the rollercoaster ride you’ve taken is ultimately very damaging as they give you just enough hope that they may commit with no intention or action that they ever will.

Lack of clarity in dating is hugely detrimental for your self-esteem and can lead to longer term anxiety when it comes to meeting people which can ultimately sabotage your dating journey. If you’ve fallen victim to any of these toxic behaviours, you can start to mistrust your judgement and become fearful of the good people that you encounter along the way who are much better suited to you. 

These three dating trends, while very common in the dating world, are so damaging for the recipients of the bad behaviour and actually tell you a lot about the person who is instigating the toxic approaches to dating for many different reasons. 

If you find yourself questioning someone’s intentions, the best advice is to step on the brakes and back off! If they really want you, they will step forward and show it in a healthy way. If they carry on behaving inappropriately and you pull back, then you are protecting yourself and also sending a clear message to the other person that you are worthy of more and secure in who you are and the boundaries that you have set for your partner and any future relationships you have.

Don’t ever worry you could be losing out on something wonderful as you are actually saving yourself from more heartache and pain in the long run. Listen to your emotions and feelings and look after your heart to ensure you are putting yourself first when it comes to dating – if you do this, you’ll be sure to find that perfect match and a long-lasting, healthy, and committed relationship, just like you deserve.

Are you looking for somebody who’ll really value who you are and respect your life goals and outlook on life? Our matchmakers are experts in recognising individuals who you will really share a spark with, using a unique mix of personality profiling, experienced matchmakers, intuition, and our extensive private network. Find out how we can help you reach that goal of a long-term committed relationship by getting in touch today.

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Why summer can be the best time to date

If you’re the sort of person who can’t wait to swap your winter boots for flip-flops, and you hit the beaches and parks the minute the mercury rises, then there’s a good chance you’re a fan of summer dating as well.

Summer can feel like a magical time to date, giving us sun-starved Brits plenty of opportunities to relish in the longer days and warmer weather. The winter months seemingly last forever and when the summer finally rolls around there’s suddenly a raft of new opportunities at your fingertips which are perfect for sharing with somebody special.

With the need to take shelter in the cosiest indoor spot finally behind us, there are numerous opportunities which add some spice to your dating journey in the warmer months. Think happy hour at rooftop bars, romantic picnics in the park, outdoor live performances and plentiful of al fresco drinks in sun-soaked pub gardens.  

Then there’s the fact we all feel a bit brighter over the summer months. It can certainly be hard to feel your best when you are swamped in layers marching through the drizzle in November. It’s much easier to put your best foot forward in the warmer months by rocking a healthy glow, thanks to embracing your chilled-out summer wardrobe and sporting a tan (whether it’s thanks to a regular spray tan appointment or all that time you’ve been enjoying outside).

Everyone seems a bit more relaxed, and the days become more fluid as you leave office drinks to flit to the next impromptu barbecue or drinks party. It can be easier to meet people when everybody is out and about making the most of the increased opportunities to socialise.  

Summer flings can go hand-in-hand with the season, and this is something to be aware of if you’re looking for something which’ll last past the August bank holiday. Ever heard of freckling? It refers to casually getting involved with somebody over the summer months just to lose interest again as the colder weather rolls around. The person may pop back into your dating life again next year – but only when the weather is nice. If you’re looking for a more long-term relationship, then it is worth being mindful of what the other person is looking for by sounding out each other’s expectations early on in your dating journey.   

If a temporary summer romance is more your bag, then it is also only fair to check the person you’re dating is on the same page to avoid autumn heartbreak. Plus, you never know, what started as a casual micro-romance may blossom into something more as you find yourself reluctant to part ways come the cooler months.

There can also be less pressure in the early days of a summer relationship due to there being no significant holidays in the calendar to navigate. Christmas and New Year’s Eve, for example, can cause the added pressure of feeling the need to define your relationship status as you enjoy festive gatherings and parties together. It’s the time of the year that can also leave you wondering whether it’s too soon to swap Christmas presents with a new partner or invite them along to a family gathering.  

Even if you’ve been in a relationship for a while, summer can provide plenty of opportunities to mix up your dating journey. The temptation to mooch on the sofa with the latest boxset can go out the window when there’s plenty of fun to be enjoyed outdoors. You can really mix up your date nights with a fun shared activity, whether it’s enjoying an outdoor movie, paddleboarding down the local river, or gazing at the stars over a firepit in the garden.

Of course, summer dating may not appeal to everybody. The thought of applying make-up in the sweltering heat or wading through crowds of revellers looking for the last outdoor table in town may not sound particularly enticing if, deep down, you prefer the roar of a log-fire and a cosy pub date mid-winter. Nothing can quite top the disappointment of an all-too-predictable summer shower as you’ve just settled down to romantic supper in the garden. If this sounds like you, don’t give into the pressure to have the perfect Instagrammable summer of love – just do what suits you best.

If you’re looking to up your dating game in the coming months, it can be invaluable to seek out the support of a matchmaker to find somebody you’ll truly enjoy sharing time with. A matchmaker can work with you to understand exactly what you’re looking for in a long-term, committed relationship. They then use an expert mix of personality profiling, their extensive experience, private network, and intuition to recommend hand-selected individuals who’ll perfectly align with your goals and outlook on life. So, as the weather heats up and the summer fun kicks off in earnest, you’ll be in the best place to have a year to remember!

If you’re looking to up your dating game this summer, why not give our expert team at Ignite Dating a call? They can work closely with you to really understand your aspirations, goals, and life values, introducing you to incredible people you’ll really share a connection with.